Sand-feeding device.



A. A. FRYEH.

SAND FEEDING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED 050.23. m5.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 30, 1918.

A. A; FRYER. SAND FEEDING DEVICE. APPLlCATlON FILED DEC. 23. I915.

mm mam I Patented Apr. 30,1918,

2 'SHEETS"$HEET 2.

'ATTORNEY an an ALVA A. FRYER, or rinennsrown, ivmnYn in'n.

SAND-FEEDING DEVICE.

menses.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALVA A. Farm, a citizen of the United States, residing at I-lagerstown, in the county of Washington nature, that affords facilities whereby the hopper structure may be expeditiously attached or detached to or from the dome and the force feed medium introduced thereto at a point exteriorlywith respect to the dome.

Another object ofmy invention is to provide an improved sand feeding device such as pointed out above, which includes a hop per structure to be arranged in the dome so as to receive the sand by gravitational feed, the hopper being so constructed whereby it maybe cast in a single piece and provision made for the introduction of the force feed medium thereinto from a point. exteriorly of the dome.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved hopperconstruction that, as before stated, may be cast in a single piece and cored out at suitable points to form a passage way and an adjacent nozzle member through which the force feed medium may be passed to move the sand from the hopper and thence to the respective feeding pipe.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved hopper structure as set forth above, that is insertible into the dome from a point exteriorly thereof without. ne-

cessitating the removal of any of the sand or in any way necessitating the going into the interior thereof, and which, when in place, is readilv accessible to, from a point exteriorly of thedome so that the nozzle member may be cleaned and kept in such condition with ease. a

A yet further object of my invention is to provide an improved joint member that may be associated with the hopper structure ex- -teriorly of the dome. that is designed to properly conduct the sand to the respective feeding pines and to eliminate backing up Specification of Letters Patent. Pamljcgnt gd Apr... {3th, 191%., Application fi1ed. December 23, 1915. Serial No. 68,428. i i

or the rebounding of the sand, which, as a general rule, occurs in the conventional form of devices of this nature.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type in question that is extremely simple in construction, strong and durable, and highly practical from both the standpoint of the manufacturer and the standpoint of the user; and which, it is believed, may be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent during the continuance of the following description,

These objects are accomplished by such means as are shown in their preferred form in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification and then more specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like characters designate like parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a view in horizontal section showing the sand dome broken away and part. of the joint construction in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section taken through the device as it. appears in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in detail of a member that may be associated with the device for purpose of facilitating the cleaning of the nozof the general extent of the respective feed I pipes;

Fig. 6 is a view in top plan showing the device as it appears in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view showing a slightly modified form of connection between the hopper structure and the sand dome. i i

In reducing my invention to practice, I

' provide a tubular base 10, screw threaded as at 11 about a certain portion of its periphery for insertion through an opening 12 of the dome 13. The base 10 is further provided with an annular flange such as shown at 14-, in Fig. 1 which may be drawn tightly against the inner face of the side wall of the dome when the device is positioned in place, whereby a secure connection may be attained.

A hopper structure 15 is preferably cast with the base 10, such as shown in Fig. 1 and preferably arranged in the dome so as to receive the sand by gravitational feed. This hopper is in turn cored out longitudinally as at 16 to form asuitable passage way for conducting the force feed medium, while it'is further cored out transversely as at l? to communicate with the interior bore 18 of a nozzle member 19. The nozzle member 19 is in turn provided with a longitudinally tending outlet bore 20 and a counter bore 21, the former serving to increase the velocity of the force feed medium, while the latter serves a )urpose that will subsequently appear. Although I do not wish to limit myself in any wayto means for connecting a suitable conducting pipe with the cored passage 16 of the hopper, it is pointed out that this cored passage may be screw threaded as at 22 to receive the similarly formed end 23 or a conducting pipe, such as clearly shown in Fig. 1. By this arrangement, it will be noted that the force feed medium from the conducting pipe will be introduced directly into the cored passage 16 and'thence conducted to the nozzle member as above stated. Thenozzle member opens into the hopper at a point materially spaced from the upper endthereof thereby directing the force feed medium across the hopper such as lS ObVlOUS. In this form of the invention, I. contemplate casting the base 10 integral with the hopper structure, such as above referred to as well as the annular flange'lt, whereby the entire dome structure of the device being in one piece, may be manufactured at ag'reatly reduced cost and at the same time manipulated with greater ease.

In order to lock the base and the hopper structure in connection with the dome 13, I provide a locking nut 2a which, as shown in Fig. 1, is to be positioned on the screw threads 11 of the base and engaged with the outer wall of the dome. In order to expedite cleaning of the interior bore of the nozzle member, especially after the casting of the hopper, I preferably provide the latter with a detachable plug or stopper 25 (see Figs. and 2) whereby accessto the interior bore may be readily had. 'Tl1is stopper, however, isnot essential and may be eliminated if it is so desired.

, joint structure or goose neck26 may be "detaehably connected with the base' 10 as shownat 27,wherebyit may receive the sand "frtunthe dome directly from the hopper structure. Theg'o'ose neck may be suitably curved as shown inf Fig. 2 so that the sand from the hopper structure will be projected againstthe curved wall 28 thereof and its velocity not in any way retarded. )n the other hand should the same be projected against an abrupt wall such as in the conventional forms of devices of this nature, the velocity thereof would be greatly retarded, notwithstanding the fact that a backing up or rebounding action would ensue, such as would greatly impair the ellicicncy of the device. The goose neck is provided with a branch as at 29, which branch projects therefrom at a point appreciably above the plane of the mouth of the nozzle member 19 so as to be entirely out of the way of the sand which is being forced through the goose neck. In other words, it will be noted that the sand will be projected against the curved wall 28 of the goose neck at a point appreciably below the branch 25) so that instead of injuring the branch, it will be guided downwardly by such curved surface by the respective cont'lucting pipes. The branch may be in turn closed by any suitable means, such for instance as by the nipple and cap arrangement 230 and ill respectively, such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This will enable the operator to gain access to the interior of the neck aswell as the base 10 and the hopper member at all times, with outin any way in'ipeding or interrupt ing the operation of the device. In other words, the cap 31 maybe removed without the nipple or the nipple removed from the branch while the device is in full operation.

Although not essential to the ellicicnt operation of my invention, 1 may provide novel means that may be operated through the branch 29 for the purpose of cleaning the hopper and the nozzle member and keeping the same clean from all. foreign material such as would tend to decrease the velocity of the force feed medium. Attention is now directed to Fig. 8 wherein I have shown a device of this nature that may be formed from a single strand of wire, first bent to form a body structure 32 and subsequently bent to form a handle portion 33 at one end and a spirally curved extension ill: at the other end. This device may be left in the ranch and hopper at all times, the cxten sions 3-1 thereof fitting snugly about the nozzle member 19 as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Consequentlyshould the aperture 20 of the nozzle member become clogged or stopped up, the operator may remove the cap 31 or the nipple 30 from the branch and H manipulate the handle portion of the wire member to position the ends of the extensions 3-l in this aperture by way of the counter-bore 21 or when simply cleaning the exterior of the nozzle member, the-extension 2a; may be operated thereabout in an obvious manner. The wire member 32 will not, under ordinary circumstances, impede the action of the force feed medium as .it

will be spaced to one side of the counter m nses.

bore '21 at all times. Therefore, by leaving the wire memberin position at all times, the

nozzle member may be thoroughly cleaned from the exterior of the dome without the necessity of the operator constructing or using other tools toaccomplish this purpose.

Furthermore, by connecting the conducting pipes 'of the force feed medium, which in the present embodiment may be compressed air or steam, exteriorly of the dome, the operator will have free access to the joint at all times and should a leak occur at this point, it may be easily fixed without the necessity of removing the base and hopper structure from the dome. Should thesand become clogged in, the hopper 15, such clogged portions may be easily and quickly removed by way of the branch 29 and, in fact, any CllfllCUltlGS which may occur may be dealt with without the removal of the base and hopper structure from the dome and without the necessity of going into the interior of the dome to accomplish such purpose. While it is true that the base, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, must be first arranged in the interior of the dome, provision is made to insert the structure without the necessity of first entering the same into the dome, such as shown in Fig. 7. and which will be hereinafter fully described.

However, while under ordinary conditions, it has been found desirable to introduce the force feed medium into the cored channel 16 of the hopper, such as shown in Fig. 1, it may be found expedient under certain conditions to introduce this medium at an angle. Therefore, in this connection .attention is directed to Fig. 4 of the drawings. In this form, the base 10 is provided with a second cored passage 35 that extends at an angle with respect to the cored passage 16 and which is screw threaded a portion of its length as at 36. Consequently by introducing the screw threaded end 37 of the pipe 38 thereinto, the air traveling through the pipe will be directed into the channel 16 as is obvious. This construction will retard the velocity of the air to a slight extent, or in other words prevent a direct flow into the channel 16. Therefore, it is to be understood that I do not limitmyself to the specific positioning of the pipe 38, or the pipe shown in Fig. 1, since either form may be used to advantage.

As stated hereinbefore, I also provide means whereby the base 10 and the hopper structure may be inserted into the respective dome opening 12 without necessity of first positioning the base in the dome- In this form, such as clearly shown in Fig. 7,

the flange 14 of the base is eliminated, the

screw threads 39 being. extended to some extent while the dome opening 12 is also.

screw threaded as, shown at .0.- Thehopper structure 15 being of less width than the base may be inserted through the dome opening after which the base may be screwed into place in the] usual manner. Subsequent'to this operatlon, alocklng nut such as shown at 41 may be screwed upon the threads 39 whereby the base will be locked against accidental movement. This form has been found highly desirable under certain conditions.

tion of its own specific gravity. This form consists of a base 42, similar to the base 10 in Figs. 1 and 2, being screw threaded about its periphery as at 43 for reception of the lock. nuts 44, while it is also provided with the.

flange 45, corresponding with the flange 14 in the other form. However, the hopper 46 while being cast integral with the base is constructed so as to eliminate the cored passage ways 16 and 17 and the nozzle member 20. On the other hand, the goose neck 47 is connected with the base 42 in the usual manner as at 48 so as to receive the sand from the hopper 46, while the branch 48 is associated therewith to receive a detachable closing plug 49. The branch 48 may be provided with a threaded aperture 50 to receive the similarly formed end 51 of the conducting pipe 52, whereby the air or other force feed medium will be introduced into the goose neck to act in a plane corresponding with the plane of the general extent of the sand conducting pipe (not shown). The

sand from the dome proceeds by action of.

gravity into the hopper structure 46 while when the force feed medium is introduced into the goose neck, a partial vacuum in the. base 42 will be formed so as to draw the sand into the sand conducting pipe. In this form the sand is acted upon from two sources, namely, action of its own gravita From the foregoing, it will be recognized that the device of my. invention consists of but two parts, namely, the base and hopper The base may be either operated from the interior'of the dome or, as shown in Fig. 7,

may be inserted subsequent to the insertion of the hopper structure through the dome opening. The connection which I have shown will retain the base in a secure position with respect to the dome and prevent accidental dislodgm'ent thereof due to the jarring of the locomotive. @n the other hand, it will be readily recognized that the sand may be expeditiously-fed or forced into the respective conducting pipes and thus uniformly applied to the rail. In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the sand acting upon the curved'surface 28 of the goose neck is projected directly into the projecting tube while in the other form the air is directed or introduced into the goose neck in a plane corresponding with the plane of the general extent of the conducting. pipe. Believing that the: advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily understood from the foregoing, further detail description is deemed unnecessary.

In reducing my invention to practice, I

find that the form referred to herein as the most practical and preferred embodiment is the most eflicient, but realizing that certion conditions'will necessarily vary in concurrence with the adoption of my device, I desire to emphasizethe fact that various minor changes in the details of construction and in the proportion of parts may be resorted to when required without sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1.- In a sand feeding device of the character described, the combination with a container having a receiving opening, of a tubular base to be received into said opening, a hopper structure to be cast integral with said base and arranged interiorly of the container, means to lock said base in place, a joint structure connected with said base eXteriorly of said container, means to create a flow of sandthrough said base and said joint structure, and a branch on said joint structure whereby access may be had to the interior of said base and said hopper, as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a sand feeding device of the character described, the combination with a sand container'having a receiving opening, of a tubular base to be'received in said opening, a; hopper associated with said base to be arranged interiorly of the container, a goose. neck. connected with said base exte riorl-y of. the: container, a branch on said goose-neck, meansto normally close said branch, and means to introduce a force feed medium through said goose neck to create a flow" of sand from said hopper, as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a sand feeding apparatus, a base structure to be associated with the sand dome, a hopper carried by said base structure to be arranged interiorly of the dome, a joint structure connected with said base structure exteriorly of said dome, means to create a flow of sand from said hopper structure through said base and said joint structure, a branch on said joint structure whereby access may be had to the interior of said base and said hopper from a point exteriorly of the container, and said branch being arranged to be out of the path of flow of sand, as and for the purpose specified.

4c- :in a sand feeding device, the combination with a sand donie having a receiving opening, of a tubular base to be inserted into said opening, a hopper structure substantially semi -circular when viewed in cross section cast integral with said base, means to lock said base in position, a joint structure connected with said base exteriorly of said container, means to introduce air under pressure into the device to cause a flow of sand from said hopper through said base and said joint structure, a branch on said joint structure whereby access may be had to the interior of said base and said hopper, means to close said branch and said branch being disposed at an angle to be out of the path of flow of the sand, as and for purpose specified,

5. In a sand feeding device of the character described, the combination with a sand container having a receiving opening, of a base to be inserted into said receiving opening, a hopper cast integral with said base to project into the interior of said container and receive the sand by gravitational feed, a goose neck connected with said base eXteriorly of said container, a branch on said goose neck substantially intermediate its ends, means to normally close said branch, means to create a flow of sand from said hopper through said goose neck, and said branch being arranged to be above the flow of sand whereby access may be had to the interior of said base and said hopper during the flowing of the sand, as and for the purpose specified,

6. In a sand feeding device, the combination with a dome, of a tubular base to be associated with the dome, a hopper strncture cast integral with the base to project interiorly of the dome and receive the sand, a nozzle member formed integral with said hopper structure, said base and said hopper structure being provided with a cored passage way to communicate at one end exteriorly of said dome and at the other end with said nozzle member, whereby a force feed medium may be introduced to said nozzle member from a point exteriorly of the dome to eject the sand from said hopper structure through the base, and a joint structure connected with said base and adapted to convey sand to its destination and allow inspection of the sand thus being conveyed.

7 In a sand feeding device of the character described, a tubular base, a hopper structure cast integral with the base to communicate with the interior bore thereof, said base and said hopper structure being provided with a cored passage way whereby a force feed medium may be introduced into said hopper structure to force the sand through said tubular base, a goose neck connected with said base, and a branch on said goose neck whereby access may be had to said base and said hopper structure,as and for the purpose specified.

8. In a sand feeding device of the character described, the combination with a sand dome, of a tubular base to be associated therewith, a hopper structure cast integral with said base to project interiorly of the dome, said base and said hopper structure having a cored passage way opening at one end exteriorly oi the dome and at the outer end at a point adjacent the inner end of the hopper and spaced from the inner wall of the dome, whereby a force feed medium may be introduced to the hopper at a point exteriorly of the dome to cause the flowing of the sand through said tubular base, a goose neck connected with said base exteriorly of said dome, a branch on said goose neck whereby access may be had to said base and said hopper structure during the flowing of the sand, and means to lock said base structure in position, as and for the purpose specified.

9. In a sand feeding device of the charao- V ter described, the .combination with a dome having a receiving opening, of a tubular Copies of this patent may be obtained for base to be positioned in said opening, a hopper structure cast integral with said base to be positioned interiorly of the dome, said base and said hopper structure provided with a cored passage way opening at one end exteriorly of said dome, a nozzle member cast integral with said hopper at a point adjacent its inner end and spaced from the inner wall of the dome, the other end of said cored passage way communicating with said nozzle member, whereby a force feed medium may be introduced to said hopper structure from a point exteriorly of said dome, whereby the flowing of the sand through said tubular base may be obtained, a goose neck connected with said base exteriorly of said dome, a branch on said goose neck to be above the flow of sand whereby access may be had to the interior bore of said base and said nozzle member from a point exteriorly of the dome, and means to lock said base structure in position, as and for the purpose specified.

10. In a sand feeding device of the char-- acter described, the combination with a sand dome of a tubular base to be associatedwith said dome, a hopper structure cast integral with the base to be positioned interiorly of the dome, a joint structure connected with said base exteriorly of the dome, a branch on said joint structure whereby access may be had to the interior bore of said base and said hopper, and means to direct a force feed medium through said joint structure whereby sand from said hopper structure will be drawn through said base and through said'joint structure, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALVA, A. nurse.

Witnesses M. E. Jones, J. REANY KELLY.

five cents each, 'by addressing the Uommissioner of Patents Washington, D. G. 

